Taxi Driver Online

Could have happened to anyone, so to that extent not trade-related, but he was on way home after finishing his shift at 5am.

Morledge assault: victim is 'hard-working' taxi driver

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... ng-2257928

He had just finished his shift when he was attacked


Image: Derby Telegraph

The owner of a taxi firm has confirmed that one of his drivers was the man who was has been left in intensive care after being assaulted in Derby city centre.

The man told Derbyshire Live how his worker had finished his shift and was just going to get food when the incident took place in the Morledge shortly after 5am on Sunday.

Police and forensics officers cordoned-off part of the road while they carried out their investigation following the incident.

The cab company boss, whose vehicle was inside the police cordon earlier this morning, said: “It’s really heartbreaking, it’s really terrible.

“He wasn’t at work, he had finished duty and wasn’t picking any passengers up.

“He went to a kebab shop to get food before he went home and something happened straight after that.

“We don’t know exactly what happened but he is in intensive care.

“We just need to be patient and hope the police get to the bottom of this. I know he’s a hard worker and finished his shift and just wanted to go home.”

A Derbyshire police spokesman said: “Officers are investigating the circumstances of an assault in Derby which happened in the early hours of this morning.

“At around 5.05am today (Sunday, November 25) officers were called the Morledge in Derby city centre to reports that a man was injured.

“On arrival a man was found with a head injury and was taken to hospital where he remains.

How Derbyshire Live covered the breaking news of the incident

“The investigation is in its early stages and a scene is in place whilst enquiries into the circumstances continue.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact us by using the following methods quoting incident number 226 of November 25.”

Derbyshire Live has decided not to name the company involved or the driver at this stage.

Assaulted taxi driver was savagely beaten by a gang, says witness

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... en-2258328

The takeaway worker said he saw 'four or five people' punching the victim as he lay on the ground


Image: Derby Telegraph

A witness who saw an assault in Derby city centre that has left a man in hospital claims the victim was attacked by a gang

He said the taxi driver victim had been into a takeaway and was set on by “four or five people” within seconds of stepping outside

The fast-food restaurant worker said he wanted to go out and help him but was too afraid that he would be attacked himself.

The worker, who did not wish to give his name, said; “He (the victim) had been in here and went outside on to the pavement.

“I saw people shouting and swearing and then some punches started.

“I could see two or three people come from the right and then another couple from the left, I think.

“There were maybe four or five of them and they all just started punching him.

“I saw he was on the floor and they carried on punching him.

“I wanted to help him but I wasn’t sure if they would come in and start on me so I called an ambulance.

“I was scared, afraid.”

Police says the attack took place shortly after 5am in the Morledge.

Police and forensics officers cordoned-off part of the road for a number of hours on Sunday while they carried out their investigation following the incident.

A spokesman said “Officers are investigating the circumstances of an assault in Derby which happened in the early hours of this morning.

“I was scared, afraid.”

Police says the attack took place shortly after 5am in the Morledge.

Police and forensics officers cordoned-off part of the road for a number of hours on Sunday while they carried out their investigation following the incident.

A spokesman said “Officers are investigating the circumstances of an assault in Derby which happened in the early hours of this morning.


Image: Derby Telegraph

The owner of the taxi company whose vehicle was inside the police cordon earlier this morning has confirmed that one if his drivers was involved in the incident, and believes he was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

He told Derbyshire Live: “It’s really heartbreaking, it’s really terrible. He wasn’t at work, he had finished duty and wasn’t picking any passengers up.

“He went to a kebab shop to get food before he went home and something happened straight after that.

“We don’t know exactly what happened but he is in intensive care.

“We just need to be patient and hope the police get to the bottom of this. I know he’s a hard worker and finished his shift and just wanted to go home.”

Derbyshire Live has decided not to name the company involved or the driver at this stage.

Derby taxi driver in critical condition after vicious street attack

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... on-2259672

No arrests have yet been made

A taxi driver who was viciously beaten in Derby is in a critical condition according to the owner of the company he drives for.

Muddasser Ahmed, owner of PJ Cars, has said he is deeply shocked that one of his taxi drivers was savagely attacked at the early hours of Sunday morning in Derby city centre.

According to Mr Ahmed, the victim is currently recovering from an operation at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, having suffered from a serious head injury.

Mr Ahmed has said the incident was “truly heartbreaking”.

He said: “He was one of my workers and we still don’t fully know what has happened. All I know is that he was beaten by a gang just after he finished work.

“His family have posted online and said that he is in a critical condition. It is so sad.

“I really don’t know what happened. There has been a lot of speculation online about what happened and how he was attacked.

“It is terrible that this could happen to a hard-working man.

“I have no idea whether or not he will be able to come back to work after this but I’m sure it will take him a while to recover.

“Sometimes taxi drivers have to deal with abuse when they are working but this was not the case. He had just finished work and was attacked.

“The police need to find who did this because these people are still on the streets. My prayers go out to him and his family."

According to a witnesses who saw the assault in the Morledge, the driver was attacked by “four or five” people who started “punching him” and “carried on punching him” while he was on the floor.

A Derbyshire police spokesperson confirmed that there have been no arrests and inquires are still on-going.

They added: “Officers investigating the circumstances surrounding the assault of a taxi driver would like anyone with information to contact them.

"At around 5.05am yesterday (Sunday, November 25) officers were called the The Morledge in Derby city centre to reports that a man was injured.

"On arrival a man was found with a head injury and was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

"Detective Sergeant Graham Dent who is leading the investigation said: “The information that we have received leads us to believe that the victim had finished his shift and was in a takeaway restaurant. He saw a fight break out outside and went to intervene.

"“He was then assaulted and we would like to speak to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and who may have relevant information to assist with our enquiries.”

If you have any information which may assist with our enquiries, please get in touch using one of the following non-emergency contact methods.

Be interested to see, if there are any stats on this issue, if Kebab Houses are one of the most dangerous places to be at night.

As for the fella not going out to help. There are more ways to help than going in fists first.

Let's hope he never needs assistance.

_________________
IDFIMH

Sarcasm doesn't suit you apart from getting himself killed what use would he have been ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

He could have tried to calm things down, said enough is enough, shouted at the top of his voice the police are here, tried to pull the victim in the shop, and if need be chased them off with some of those big f*** off knives.

But all he did was watch.

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IDFIMH

Depends on the circumstances, as I always say about things like this.

And to be fair to the kebab guy, the reason they set about the PHD was because he tried to intervene in some ruck, so hardly encourages Mr Kebab to in turn get involved.



Sometimes discretion *is* the better part of valour, which you don't hear many people saying outside kebab shops at 5am these days

I would ask anyone thinking about not helping out to answer this.

What if the person being attacked was a lady being gang raped? Or a young boy being severely assaulted?

Do all the reasons for not helping the PH driver apply to the two examples above? Or is it different and why?

_________________
IDFIMH

Taxi driver fighting for life after Morledge attack, with pregnant wife at bedside


A taxi driver who was allegedly attacked in Derby city centre is fighting for his life in hospital. Faisal Raja, who had only been a taxi driver for two months, had finished his shift with PJ Cars when he sustained serious injuries after 5am along Morledge in Derby city centre.

The 37-year-old is expecting his first child with his wife, who asked not to be named, after six years of trying for a baby through IVF. Faisal's wife, 31, from Derby, said: "He is a good Samaritan, he would help everyone and anyone. He is so well known and loved. It is tragic.

"I'm gutted but I'm so proud of him. He is fighting and I hope he pulls through for this baby we fought for during the past six years. "I absolutely adore him and his baby will be precious."

She added that Faisal spent his 37th birthday, on December 1, in a coma - but the family bought balloons and cake for the nurses caring for him. Derbyshire police have made three arrests after an appeal went out to find six men who were seen on CCTV in connection with the incident.

Mr Raja's brother-in-law, Zareen Raja, has also told Derbyshire Live of the family's trauma after the incident which has left the taxi driver in a critical condition. Zareen, a solicitor from Derby, said: "My 31-year-old sister is due to give birth in six weeks. She is in such a traumatic state. She is at the hospital constantly and her weight is plummeting."

Zareen said that his sister had been talking to her husband on the phone only five minutes before the incident. Later, doctors at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, told her that her husband might not make it. He added that last week, when doctors attempted to take Faisal off life support, he went into a "state of fits" and his wife "pulled her out because it was so traumatic". He was then put back into a coma.

He said: "Doctors have told us that he could be a different person when he comes back. If he pulls through they do not know what the long term problems will be. He might not be able to work again. "My sister talks to him and has put pictures up in the room for when he wakes up. But there is no movement or anything."

The family are all living in the same house in a bid to support Faisal's wife and "constantly keep an eye on her". 'They've been married for nine years'

Zareen said the couple have had "years and years of becoming best friends" during their time trying for children. They have been married for nine years. He said: "It allowed them to really build a solid foundation. They have loads of plans and were saving up for a house. "She lives in a world where it's all about hope. There was always hope for a child.

"But she’s got this fear about being a single parent and how life is going to turn out now. Whenever she gets a phone call she has a fear for the worst."

Faisal's wife, who is one of four siblings, also cares for her parents. Zareen said: "We are a very close knit family. We're trying to support her as much as we can as she is in a very vulnerable place."

Derbyshire police have released images of three men they would like to speak to. In a statement, a spokesperson said: "At around 5.05am on Sunday, November 25, officers were called the The Morledge in Derby city centre to reports that a man was injured.

"On arrival a man was found with a head injury and was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. "Last week we circulated CCTV footage of six men who we were keen to speak to in connection with the incident. Since then three men have been arrested and released on police bail in connection with an attempted murder investigation.

"Earlier this week we circulated CCTV footage of six men who we were keen to speak to in connection with the incident. Since then three men have been arrested and released on police bail in connection with an attempted murder investigation."

Detective Sergeant Gavin Owen said: “We have made a number of arrests in relation to this incident but are still looking to trace three further men who we believe may be able to help with our enquiries. “These new images show the three men who are also captured in CCTV footage.

“If you recognise any of these men, or have any further information about this incident please do get in touch with us.” Contact Derbyshire police on 101 or you can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote the reference number 18000569921 and the name of the officer in the case, D/Sgt Gavin Owen, in any correspondence.

A gofundme page has been set up to help the family. You can find it here.

_________________
IDFIMH

Attempted murder arrest after alleged attack on taxi driver in Derby

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... ed-2296459

Four people in total have now been arrested

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an alleged attack in Derby city centre.

The incident happened on Sunday, November 25, after a taxi driver was found critically injured at the Morledge.

A 16-year-old boy is the latest person to be arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Three men aged 23 and 24 were also arrested and released on police bail last week.

The man, who has been identified by family as Faisal Raja, remains in a critical condition, according to Derbyshire police.

Officers also want help to trace two other men connected to the alleged attack.


Image: Derby Telegraph

Detective Sergeant Gavin Owen said: “Today we have made a further arrest in relation to the incident, but are still appealing to the public to help us identify two other men.

“I’d urge anyone who recognises these men to get in touch with us as we believe they may be able to assist with our investigation.

“Equally if you have any other information about this incident, we’d be keen to hear from you.”

Anyone who may have any information is being asked to contact police on 101, quoting the reference number 18000569921 and the name of the officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Gavin Owen.

People can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Wife of taxi driver attacked in city centre says he could need TWO YEARS of rehabilitation

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/d ... ma-2345416

Faisal Raja was attacked along Morledge shortly after finishing his shift


Image: Derby Telegraph

The wife of a taxi driver who was attacked in Derby city centre has spoken of her heartbreak.

Faisal Raja, who had only been a taxi driver for two months, had finished his shift with PJ Cars when he sustained serious injuries after 5am along Morledge in Derby city centre.

Mr Raja's wife, who did not wish to be named, said she was "distraught and heartbroken" to hear from doctors that her husband could be in rehabilitation for two years due to his serious brain injury.

The pregnant 31-year-old said: "Faisal just said 'I want to go home', and he can't.

"The reality of what the future holds is kicking in and it's scary. I'm just over three weeks off giving birth to our first child and it is unlikely he's going to know what that means to him.

"I feel lost, he is not only my husband but my best friend."

Mr Raja was moved from the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Royal Derby Hospital last week.

His wife says he is currently being fed through tubes, but "keeps taking them out" because he is irritated. This means that his weight has "plummeted" over the past few weeks.

She added: "He hasn't spoken properly yet. It's really tough to get through to him and he has good days and bad days.

"There are very few people that he recognises but I have comfort that he knows who I am. He nods his head when I say 'I love you'.

"I expected him to go to work that night and come home. He still hasn't been able to read my final text before he left work.

"It is very hard to get your head around how quickly your life can change. We've got a long road ahead and it's so tough but I'm so fortunate to have the family that I have. We're just distraught because he was an amazing character and individual."

The mum-to-be wanted to thank Derbyshire police for being a "great comfort" to the family at a difficult time.

A gofundme page has been set up to support the family. You can donate here:

https://www.gofundme.com/derbycityhorrorattack

But it wasn't a lady or a young boy.


Again, depends on precise circumstances. Better one severely injured than two, for example. Or a minor incident could just be made worse by intervening. Been there, done that, blah, blah.

Maybe if the kebab worker had known the severity of the injuries he might have acted differently.

But hindsight is a wonderful thing. And who really knows, except if we were there and knew *precisely* what happened. and who knew what.

But the issue is that some folks say never intervene, I say never say never.

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IDFIMH

Indeed - I'm certainly not saying *never* intervene, just that it would depend on the circumstances.

Sometimes risky enough simply taking a video, never mind actually trying to stop an altercation. And the person taking the video could have been a child or woman, therefore maybe more justified in not directly intervening.

Or it could have been taken from someone's home or business, therefore potentially fear of future reprisals if they'd intervened.

Could write a book about this sort of stuff - in fact one of my wee projects involves one or two not dissimilar videos. Which I might get finished with before 2030 or so. Assuming I don't die in the meantime

(And I mean my project might be finished in ten years time, not half-past-eight tonight )

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector